Today, French producer and DJ Juanito joins us to talk about his musical journey, collaborations, breakthrough moment, creative process, and what keeps him motivated. Now based in Barcelona, Spain, Juanito first caught attention in 2012 when he was discovered by Roger Sanchez. Since then, he’s released tracks on labels like Cr2 Records, Hottrax, Moon Harbour, Deeperfect, Glasgow Underground, and Nervous.
Juanito’s work has earned recognition from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jamie Jones, Matthias Tanzmann, Nic Fanciulli, Nicole Moudaber, East End Dubs, Joseph Capriati, Wade, and Dennis Cruz.
His music blends elements of House and Techno, creating a sound that’s both groovy and immersive. Dive into our exclusive interview with Juanito below.
Hello Juanito, thanks for joining us today! Where are you currently based, and how are you feeling right now?
Hey! Thanks for having me — it’s a real pleasure to be here! Right now, I’m based in Barcelona, surrounded by sunshine, the sea, and some seriously good vibes. I’m feeling great — super inspired and motivated with everything that’s going on, both in the studio and on tour.
What inspired your move, and what are some key differences you’ve noticed between the two places—personally or musically?
Yes, that’s right. I’m originally from France, but I’ve been living in Barcelona for a while now.
What inspired the move? Honestly, I just needed a change from my hometown, Grenoble — both personally and professionally.
Barcelona has this incredible mix of creativity, culture, and a more relaxed lifestyle. And of course, the weather doesn’t hurt!
Life here feels more fluid. People spend more time outdoors and really savor the moment. That shift has definitely influenced both my mindset and my work.
Musically, Barcelona is super diverse. From open-air events to underground venues, there’s always something going on. It’s also a real hub for DJs, so it’s great for connecting. With my sound — tech house with Latin touches — I feel like I’m in the perfect place. The crowd here really gets it and vibes with it.
Let’s dive into your recent track “Wiggle,” a collaboration with Gene Farris and Tim Baresko. How did this collaboration come together?
“Wiggle” was such a fun one to make! The track came together really naturally. Tim and I had already worked together before, so there was a solid connection and good energy between us.
One day, while we were building a groove, Tim mentioned he had a vocal from Gene Farris that could fit. He reached out, sent him the idea, and Gene jumped on it right away.
His voice and vibe were the perfect match. I was so happy to collaborate with a true Chicago legend. From there, everything just flowed. It was one of those smooth, no-pressure collabs where everyone was on the same wavelength.
Just last month, you released another standout collab, “We Don’t Play,” with Spanish producer Angel Heredia. Can you walk us through the creative process behind that track?
We started by sharing ideas remotely, just bouncing grooves and basslines back and forth. From the beginning, we knew we wanted something raw, punchy, and made for the club. Angel came up with a solid idea, I developed it further, and then he wrapped it up with some dope vocal processing and FX work.
In late February, you performed two gigs in Asia—Malaysia and Indonesia. How was the experience? Did the crowd energy differ from what you’re used to in Spain or France?
Asia was my first tour there, and I didn’t know what to expect, but it completely blew me away. The crowds were super open-minded and responsive, which allowed me to really explore my set.
The energy was quite similar to Spain or France, as they’re both international places with people from all over the world. It’s incredible how music lets me discover new places and connect with people everywhere.
You’ve also teamed up with Meyba, a brand rooted in football heritage, for a merchandise collaboration. Can you tell us more about how that partnership started and what fans can expect from the collection?
I’d say it’s more than just a collaboration — it’s a real mutual support between us, and it’s been super exciting!
The connection started when Jonny, MEYBA’s global marketing lead, reached out to me. We eventually met up in Barcelona and instantly clicked through our shared love for football, fashion, and music.
Meyba has such a rich football heritage, and I really admire how they mix that legacy with modern sportswear and streetwear. It felt like a natural fit, especially since I’ve always been into football culture.
For their latest collection, fans can expect a mix of classic football-inspired designs with a modern twist — stylish, comfortable, and full of that unique football energy.
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Let’s rewind a bit to the COVID period. While many producers slowed down or even stopped making music, you kept pushing forward—releasing 32 tracks that made it into Beatport’s Top 100 and racking up over 3 million streams on Spotify. Where did that drive come from, and how did you stay motivated during such a challenging time?
Yeah, that period was intense for everyone. For me, music became a way to stay grounded and focused while everything else felt uncertain. I couldn’t tour or play shows, so I put all that energy into the studio. That said, my creative process was definitely slower — the stress of the situation made it harder to feel inspired. But we still managed to keep up a solid release rhythm.
The drive came from a mix of passion and necessity. I’ve always been super dedicated to what I do, and during COVID, it felt even more important to keep moving. I was also doing a weekly livestream, which helped me stay in the DJ mindset — listening to promos, downloading tracks, preparing setlists… it kept the routine alive. It also pushed me to be more active on social media and create content to entertain people while staying connected.
Do you remember the first DJ who supported your music? Have you kept in touch with him since?
Yes, I still remember it clearly — it was Roger Sanchez. He was one of the first big names to support my music, and it meant a lot, especially coming from a house music legend I’ve admired since the very beginning. That kind of early validation really gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.
We’ve stayed in touch over the years. He’s not only an incredible artist but also super humble and supportive. It’s always inspiring to see how consistent and passionate he remains.
He’s invited me several times on his Release Yourself radio show, and I’ve had the chance to release music on both of his labels — Stealth and Undr The Radr.
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What would you consider your breakthrough moment—the release or support that helped open the door to international gigs and wider recognition?
One of the real breakthrough moments for me was when I started getting consistent support from top DJs like Jamie Jones, Michael Bibi, Roger Sanchez, Bob Sinclar, and Nic Fanciulli, to name a few. That kind of backing really helped put my name on the map.
But if I had to pick a specific release, it would be “No Joy” on Hottrax, Jamie Jones’ label. It gained strong momentum on Beatport and was picked up by pretty much all the big names in the scene. That track opened the door to more international gigs and felt like a true turning point where everything started to connect on a bigger scale.
Lastly, what can your fans look forward to shortly—any new music, shows, or surprises on the horizon?
Yes, there’s a lot to look forward to! I’ve got some exciting new music coming up, especially since I’ve been feeling so inspired lately in the studio.
As for shows, Europe’s summer season is just around the corner, and I’ve been getting more requests for gigs, so I’m looking forward to that! We’re also working on my U.S. visa to enter the market, and I’m super excited to explore a region I’ve never been to before. South America is also on the horizon, with a tour in the works!
Keep in touch, and thanks again for having a chat with me!
Purchase Juanito, Angel Heredia – We Don’t Play via this link.
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